ER Ejercito may still run for Laguna gov even after graft conviction — lawyer
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Tue, 09 Apr 2019 11:20:44 +0000
FORMER Laguna governor Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito may still run even after the Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division convicted him and others of graft in connection with a supposed insurance deal in 2008 when he was municipal mayor of Pagsanjan, his camp said on Tuesday.
The deal, which was entered into with First Rapids Care Ventures (FRCV), was for the provision of accident protection and financial assistance to tourists and boatmen plying the route to and from the Pagsanjan Gorge Transit Zone.
“Former Laguna governor Emilio Ramon ‘ER’ Ejercito can run for governor of Laguna this 2019. He is not disqualified to run because the decision of the Sandiganbayan is not final and executory,” Ejercito’s lawyer Larry Gadon said in a statement.
“The social media ‘fake news’ and rumors that ‘Gov. ER Ejercito is perpetually disqualified to run for Governor of Laguna and to hold public office, and will be jailed for a period of six to eight years’ is not true,” Gadon said in part, adding that “[i]t is plain and simple political harassment.”
Based on the statement, Ejercito posted additional bail for his provisional liberty and has filed a motion for reconsideration before the Sandiganbayan.
The court on Friday sentenced the following to six years and a month up to eight years in prison with perpetual disqualification from holding public office: Jeorge Estregan (Ejercito) Arlyn Lazaro-Torres, Terryl Gamit-Talabong, Kalahi Rabago, Erwin Sacluti, and Gener Dimaranan who were municipal councilors at the time material to the case; and then-FCRV owner and proprietor Marilyn Bruel. REINA C. TOLENTINO
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